Material

wood

Purpose

Softened butter would be put into the box (hopper) and the top would be pressed down by hand to form a half-pound or pound block of butter that would harden in an icebox.

Creation Date

19th century

Date Details

This butter mold looks very similar in function to the butter mold referred to as the "Philadelphia" in 300 Years of Kitchen Collectibles (Franklin 150). However, as far as form and design, especially the groove and slot structure, this butter mold looks much more comparable to the mold at the Louisville Antique Mall, except for the lack of wooden legs, dated late nineteenth century. Based on this information and the fact that most of the wooden box-like butter molds listed in 300 Years of Kitchen Collectibles (Franklin 150-151), are dated from the late 19th century, supports a similar date for the butter mold noted above.

Kitchen Artifact ID

K093